Moodabidri: Womanhood embodies completeness, and when a woman’s inner strength, sensitivity and thoughts find expression in writing, they enrich society’s values, said Dr. M. Mohan Alva, chairman of Alvas Education Foundation. He was speaking on Friday after releasing ‘Masiya Maatu’, a poetry collection by Soumya Tilak Shetty, at Alvas’s Kuvempu Hall.
Dr. Alva noted that every poem in the collection mirrors the poetess’s name — soft, restrained and deeply sensitive. The verses revolve around equality, humanity and coexistence, leaving no room for anger, vengeance or hatred. Instead, love, compassion, empathy and a positive outlook on life flow through them. The thoughts reflected in the poems guide readers toward a value-based life, prioritising simplicity, contentment, the worth of relationships and an equanimous acceptance of joy and sorrow.
Speaking on the occasion, Venugopala Shetty, president of Moodabidri taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat, observed that language is not just a professional tool but an expression of the mind and a symbol of culture. He commended Soumya Shetty, an English teacher, for nurturing her love for Kannada and engaging in creative writing despite her professional background. He noted that the collection displays tenderness, humanity and a sense of equality. The poems aim to connect relationships in a changing emotional landscape and can spark new thoughts. He also suggested that the poetess explore beyond rhyme in future to expand her literary possibilities.
Poetess Soumya Tilak Shetty said that ink is not just a mark on paper but a medium that breathes life into the heart’s words. Each poem reflects her life experiences, introspection and perspective on society. The collection contains 100 poems, and she expressed gratitude for the encouragement from readers.
Retired registrar Dr. B. P. Sampath Kumar remarked that a poet’s first collection is a milestone, introducing their sensibility and literary direction. He praised the language, emotional depth and rhythmic expression in ‘Masiya Maatu’. Some poems, he said, recall the simplicity and philosophical depth of Basavanna and Akka Mahadevi’s vachanas. He expressed confidence that Soumya Shetty shows promise of becoming an accomplished poetess.
Hobby writer Asha Adoor described the collection as a reflection of the poet’s emotional world, calling it a ‘fruit salad’ of diverse experiences encompassing knowledge, introspection and socially relevant messages.
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📰 Source: Kundapra